PARIS — EasyJet agreed to buy 135 Airbus SAS jets worth about $13.22 billion at list price as Europe’s No. 2 low-cost carrier upgrades its fleet, risking an open confrontation with its founder, who has opposed the purchase.

EasyJet will take 35 current-generation A320s for delivery between 2015 and 2017, and 100 new-engine A320neos from 2017 to 2022, the Luton, England-based company said Tuesday. The airline also has options to purchase 100 additional A320neos.

EasyJet is buying larger, more fuel-efficient airliners to replace old jets, helping boost seat capacity by as much as 5 percent annually. The agreement sets up a potential clash with founder and largest shareholder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who has been a vocal critic of a fleet upgrade and has demanded that management focus on profitability rather than growth.

“This is a great outcome for EasyJet, our shareholders and our passengers, and will ensure that EasyJet is able to continue its successful strategy of delivering profitable growth and returns to shareholders,” chief executive Carolyn McCall said in a statement.

“Ultimately, Airbus offered us the best deal and at a price with a greater discount to the list price than their landmark fleet purchase with EasyJet in 2002,” she said.

While ranked second to Ryanair among Europe’s low-cost airlines, EasyJet has dropped its early no-frills approach in favor of a model that offers ancillary services such as flexible tickets to draw corporate traffic. EasyJet attracted 10 million corporate travelers in 2012.

“The deal gives highly attractive flexibility,” James Hollins, an analyst with Investec in London, said in a note to investors Tuesday. “There are also clear operating costs benefits of the new generation fleet replacing older assets.”

A customer dining at Washington’s Oceanaire restaurant noticed an unusual line at the bottom of his receipt: “Due to the rising costs of doing business in this location, including costs associated with higher minimum wage rates, a 3% surcharge has been added to your total bill.”